Lockjaw or Locked Jaw?

 The past week was strange. My jaw locked closed. Why? I have no idea. I was outside in my happy place with stencils and paint as I created a mural on the retaining wall. I had just finished with some bees when I realized it was getting much cooler, as it does when the day is ending. I gathered my toys and headed inside. When I started to answer a question posed by HeWho sits in his recliner, I discovered I could not open my mouth without considerable pain that shot into my ear!

My hand flew to my left jaw as a tear trickled down my face. HeWho was alarmed, no doubt wondering about who would be cooking supper and already trying to decide about take out. The more I tried to speak, it just got worse. Finally he understood. This has happened before, my jaw clicks audibly and will sometimes make me keep my mouth shut.

Once it locked up in an open position and I must say that was worse. Your mouth dries out and it is hard to swallow. I usually just wait a bit and try to relax all my muscles and it will finally click back into place, lasting just a couple of hours.

It lasted 3 days. Not only could I not speak (I could speak, but it was hard to understand and took considerable effort, so why bother?), I could just barely get a straw between my teeth. I could drink liquids, but it was difficult to swallow. HeWho must constantly think about food kept up a running dialogue about what I might like to eat ....

My favorite suggestion from him was tacos. Translation: He wanted tacos, but didn't want to appear to be unsympathetic, so he wanted me to indicate that tacos was a great idea. I had chicken broth and he did get a milkshake for me.

I was taking a tylenol and an ibuprofen together for the pain and it did ease things enough for me to sleep. As a result, I was stuck in front of the TV and all the political ads. One, in particular, had me wondering what it's purpose was. It was the one that assures you that your vote is private ..... however, it is immortalized on public record that you did or didn't vote and then goes on to say that your friends and family can know whether you vote or not. It this an attempt to shame us into casting a ballot? That is what I took away from this message. Better not lie and say you voted, because you will be found out by everyone you know and then ...... what? Will my family suddenly deport me to the island of non-voters? Not talk to me? Send me hate mail? I am confused.

I will definitely be in line to vote tomorrow, right after my appointment with my cardiologist. And hopefully after the repairman fixes my oven. I am leaving HeWho in charge of greeting the repairman (or woman) while I take myself for my 6 month check-up with my cardiologist. Have just one mild heart attack and you have to report in every 6 months to be told that all your lab work looks good and that once again the ECG shows random PVC's and discuss your heart like it is a seperate being that just happens to live in your body. Should be fun.

Comments

  1. ValNovember 4, 2024 at 8:59 AM

    Sorry you had to shut your mouth for three days!!! I haven't seen that voting commercial. Maybe it means that if you vote but there's no record of it, your vote didn't get counted. Or if you didn't vote, and the record says you did, that somebody else might have stolen your vote. I don't know what good such knowledge would be, other than to get a person all riled up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy's KlotheslineNovember 4, 2024 at 2:33 PM

      It is open and running now, and oddly enough, HeWho can't hear me. I took the ad to mean that your friends and family will check your voting history and shame you if you fail to vote. There are some of my family who would prefer that I don't vote, as it will just canel out one of their votes.

      Delete
  2. R’s RueNovember 4, 2024 at 9:58 AM

    Sending hugs and prayers.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. ellen abbottNovember 4, 2024 at 11:56 AM

    have you consulted a dentist about why this happens? my jaw will occasionally just snap shut and my tongue better not be in the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy's KlotheslineNovember 4, 2024 at 2:39 PM

      TMJ are the magic letters thay all quote. This is something I have had since my 20's when I declined treatment offered in the form of a needle to be guided into my jaw with steroids. I actually think it is my wisdom tooth that wants to be removed, or that molar next to it that was crowned not so long ago. Of course, this will eliminate any chewing on my part, leaving me with no bottom molars on either side. Implants? My daughter-in-law wants to take me to Peru to have it done at a quarter of the price here. Maybe, maybe not!

      Delete
  4. Joanne NoragonNovember 4, 2024 at 3:54 PM

    TMJ problems are awful! And no solution seems permanent. Good luck with yours.

    ReplyDelete

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